Nielson by Byron Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley

Good - but perhaps it is a little past its prime by two or three years.

Decanted for one hour, great legs, deep burgundy, nice fragrant nose, full bodied with long legs

Way too much oak as expected, a little heat, but at least not really overextracted. Some funk that I think is more from oak than fruit. Was serviceable with bbq tofu but not style. I got this for $10 as part of a surprise case deal so I can’t really complain but wouldn’t choose to buy this. ~4.5/10

Medium bodied, toasty nose, very reminiscent of Dehlinger pinot style of Russian River Valley. Food friendly.

Ripe, fruity, oaky, with edgy alcohol. These detractors aside, this is not a jammy, Syrah-like fruit bomb, as there is structure to it. 88-89.

Floral note in the nose . Not that good . Wouldn’t buy .

Medium bodied and tasty

Expected more from this given the producer and region. Barely sufficient varietal character, balanced acidity, medium long finish.

This is the wine made by Nielson Wines that is sub-labeled "by Bryon" that is not from the Nielson Vineyard, but more generically from anywhere in the Santa Maria Appellation. For the first 4 days the wine was lightly colored and flavored, and was tasty but nothing special. But on the 6th day open everything about this wine got better - darker, richer, fruitier, and silkier, with a dry but not thin or austere finish.